b'Lake Scugog(continued from page 67)OvertheyearsPeterJonesreturnedtoLakeScugogAs a result of the work of the missionaries who spentSome settled around Curve Lake, but a dozen or more frequently, occasionally working with the Reverend Scotttime at the lake, a legend arose that the Mississaugasfamilies remained in the vicinity of Lake Scugog.andtheRev.WilliamCase,whowasappointedbythewhom they had taught were better educated than most ofThe arrival of white settlers caused an increasing prob-Methodists to the post of Superintendent of Indian Missionsthe European pioneer settlers who were just beginning tolem. Those who came to Canada were anxious to have a in 1827.In May 1828 Peter Jones wrote in his journal: arrive in the area. deed and title to their own land.In the land now known Thursday 2nd, met Mr. Scott in Whitby this morning. Aaron Hurd, mentioned above, was the son of Abneras Durham Region, the surveyors walked in, drew up He intends visiting the Schoogog Indians next Monday andHurd of Prince Albert. He was 16 years old at the time ofplans of lots, which were handed out as land patents to will then provide them with hoes, axes and seed.He is also tothis report. He taught at this school for several years beforeadministrators and their friends, loyalists, and military engage a female teacher, as the school which numbers aboutgoing to Connecticut to continue his studies. He died therepersonnel. This was all done without any agreements sixty, is too large for one teacher. We hope great advantagein October 1836 at the age of 23. His body was returned towith the Mississaugas who lived here. Reach Township will arise from having a female, as it will enable the womenPrince Albert and is buried in the Pine Grove Cemetery.(the western section of todays Municipality of Scugog) and girls to sew, knit, etc. They are very anxious to be in- Early in 1829, Peter Jones and his helpers, includingwas surveyed by Samuel Wilmot over the winter of 1809-structed in the habits of the white women. his brother John, built two chapels, one in Cavan and the1810. He surveyed Cartwright Township in 1816.In 1829 he gives us an idea of the settlement at the Lake other in Newmarket.The Mississaugas did not understand the concept of Scugog waterfront:TheinspirationofPeterJonesworkamongtheland ownership.To them, land belonged to all and was Jan 1, 1829.At Scugog I found many Indians and heard Mississaugasgainedinternationalrecognitionandheto be shared by all.They particularly could not under-good tidings.Thirty scholars were in the school. They werewas invited to meet the King William and Queen Annestand how one individual could lay claim to a parcel of building a new schoolhouse, twenty-two feet square logsof England, Queen Victorias parents, at Windsor Castleland or water as his own.hewn on the inside,oor of split basswood and roof of bass- in England. They had a special medal minted to com- Peter Jones clearly understood the dilemma. As his wood troughs.A hundred andfty Indians occupied ninebarkmemorate his visit with them in 1832. The portrait offather was a surveyor, he knew the white mans greed for wigwams.Peter shows him proudly wearing the medal. land and the concept of land ownership.He encouraged SaturdayJanuary17th.IntheforenoonIvisitedtheAfter the dam was built in 1829-30, it backed up thethe Mississaugas in the Lake Scugog area to use their Indian School taught by brother Aaron Hurd, a promisingwater on Lake Scugog and more than doubled the surfacegrant money to obtain deed and title to their own lands. area. Thisdestroyed the rice beds on the lake,In 1840 the Mississaugas of Scugog bought their own 800-youth. There were 39 children present.I gave them an ad-oodingacre Reservation on Scugog Island. Their descendants dress on the importance of gaining knowledge by persever- thus depriving the Mississaugas of a much-needed staplelive here today.ing in their studies. They listened attentively in their diet: rice. Many of the Mississaugas left the area.Itwasntuntil1923that any agreement with the Miss-issaugas was drawn up for the vast lands that make up todays Durham Region. But even that Never forget yourtreaty, the Williams Treaty, was ahighlyquestionabledocu-ment,whichwasdrawnup garbage day again! and passed in Parliament in a clandestine manner.This issue Download our mobile app by searching for was not resolved until 2019.Durham Region Waste in the app store.All evidence of the school and chapel at Lake Scugog where Jones, Case and Scott taught has long since disappeared.From the descriptions Use your mobile phone to view schedules,it is clear that this mission was located at the southwest receive reminders and get sorting tips forend of the lake, somewhere between present day Port Perry and the causeway. blue box, green bin and garbage.The site may have disappeared under the water as the lake was expanded as a result of the Purdy dam at For Android and iPhone smart phones. Lindsay. But, thanks to the journal of Peter Jones, at least we have the record of its existence and the names of some who attended. By Paul Arculus, Focus on Scugog durham.ca/wasteIf you require this information in an accessible format, please contact 1-800-667-5671.68FOCUS - DECEMBER 2020'